It is a collector’s item. He appeared in several westerns, some directed by his father-in-law John Ford, including the John Wayne classicThe Searchers. management. He played saxophone at college, but wanting to be a singer, he found a post as a staff vocalist on NBC radio. Ken Curtis enlisted into the … He later moved to television where he appeared in Ripcord and Rawhide before becoming a regular (as Monk) in Have Gun Will Travel. He played Dolan in the movie “Mr Roberts”. In 1935, he left home and for a time studied medicine in college, at Colorado Springs, until his desire for a musical career saw him move to Hollywood. They were a very good singing group. April 1991 in Clovis, Kalifornien, eigentlich Curtis Wain Gates) war ein US-amerikanischer Schauspieler, Produzent und Country-Sänger. Jun 17, 2020 - Explore Linda Brazzell's board "Ken Curtis", followed by 321 people on Pinterest. Born: 2-Jul-1916 Birthplace: Lamar, CO Died: 29-Apr-1991 Location of death: Fresno, CA Cause of death: Natural Causes Remains: Cremated (ashes s. Military service: US Army (1943-45) Father: Dan Gates (Sheriff of Las Animas) Mother: Nellie Sneed Gates Wife: Barbara Ford (daughter of John Ford, b. In 1935, he left home and for a time studied medicine in college, at Colorado Springs,… Ken Curtis (* 2. (termer meaning a term player contract); and "Radio's Ken Curtis makes his film bow in Columbia's 'Rhythm Roundup' ...". Sorry folks, this is all I could find on Ken Curtis Military service. It had cool hotrod cars and cool teen lingo. He directed “The Giant Gila Monster” and starred and directed in “The Killer Shrews”. Festus is one my all-time favorite TV characters. The lead musical group in the series was the chaotic Hoosier HotShots. Then came World War II duty and Curtis served in the U. S. Army infantry from mid 1942 through 1945. He left the Pioneers in 1953 but still recorded with them until September 1957. During World War II, Curtis served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945. He hosted theLucky U Ranch Show before, in the mid-50s, he returned to film acting. Then came World War II duty and Curtis served in the U. S. Army infantry from mid 1942 through 1945. b. Curtis Wain Gates, 2 July 1916, on a farm near Lamar, Colorado, USA, d. 28 April 1991, Fresco, California, USA. Born July 2, 1916 in Lamar, Colorado, Ken Curtis was the youngest of three sons born to Dan Gates and Nellie (Sneed) Gates. He was in the John Wayne movie “The Searchers” of which Harry Carry said was one of Wayne’s greatest movies. In the 1940 census, he's living in Yonkers, New York and his occupation is "Singer - radio". exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. From February and May, 1945 issues of the Film Daily tradezine: "Ken Curtis, radio singer, has been signed to a Columbia termer." I am headed off to youtube to watch some of them. Ken Curtis (July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991) was an American singer and actor. Ken Curtis (born Curtis Wain Gates, July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991) was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the CBS western television series Gunsmoke.Although he appeared on Gunsmoke earlier in other roles, he was first cast as Festus in season 8 episode 13, December 8, 1962 "Us Haggens". He was with the “Sons Of The Pioneers” along with Roy Rogers. Find this Pin and more on Famous American entertainment veteransby Wayne Miles. After the war, Columbia Pictures signed him to a contract and Ken played the hero in a series of musical westerns that were light on action and plot... but loaded with tunes. Juli 1916 in Lamar, Colorado; 28. In 1935, he left home and for a time studied medicine in college, at Colorado Springs,…. I mostly remember Ken Curtis as a member of John Ford’s stock company. Circa 1939-1940, he was a staff/studio singer doing non-country and non-western tunes over the NBC radio network. I also saw him in an old, unremembered movie in which he pretty much was the same character as Festus. posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its In 1949, Curtis and Shug Fisher toured with the Sons Of The Pioneers and others, and during this period was asked to deputize for Lloyd Perryman for a time. In 1941, after various radio work, he was signed as a temporary replacement for Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with whom he recorded. In 1936 Ken married the sister of one of his West Point classmates, the former Miss Edith K. Simons of Leavenworth, Kansas and together they embarked on a life long journey of service to his country, his community and his fellow man. His real name was Curtis Wain (not Wayne) Gates and he grew up in Las Animas, Colorado where his father was the sheriff. The lead musical group in the series was the chaotic Hoosier HotShots. In 1941-1942, he sang with the bands of Shep Fields and Tommy Dorsey (more details on his connection with Dorsey and Fields is on the next webpage). On Curtis’ own record, “Gunsmoke’s Festus Haggen Calls out Ken Curtis,” he alludes to Haggen’s history as a confederate soldier. He first appeared in Gunsmoke (aka Gunlaw in the UK) in December 1962 and played various roles until, in January 1964, he played the part his father had done for real, when he replaced Denis Weaver (Chester Goode) as Marshal Matt, in which role he occasionally sang numbers that he had sung with the Pioneers. He turns up in just about every post-war Ford flick. He played a parachutist for hire in the TV series “Ripcord” too. One of his albums was called FESTUS SINGS AND TALKS ABOUT DODGE CITY AND OTHER STUFF. His character was an evil seducer of women. I saw him in an episode of “Perry Mason”. He portrayed a circus clown who was pretty much of an opposite of Festus. Read Full Biography. The Giant Gila monster was great for a low-budget film. Lots of other musicians and actors appeared in these including Big Boy Williams (Ken's sidekick), Carolina Cotton, Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, Deuce Spriggens and his band, and pretty and funny Jeff Donnell (who is probably best remembered as George Gobel's wife in George's 1950s TV show). All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the AKA Curtis Wain Gates. Posted on 07/25/2018 5:41:22 PM PDT by eastforker. A radio appearance singing ‘Tumbling Tumbleweeds’ led him to a contract with Columbia Pictures where, as Ken Curtis, he made a series of musical westerns until the company also acquired Gene Autry. b. Curtis Wain Gates, 2 July 1916, on a farm near Lamar, Colorado, USA, d. 28 April 1991, Fresco, California, USA. On Sinatra’s return, he made further recordings with the Shep Fields Band. Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual When Perryman returned, Curtis remained with the Pioneers as replacement for Tim Spencer who, owing to a voice problem, was becoming more the manager of the group than a singer. Curtis reportedly made the character up by himself as a composite of friends and relatives from his youth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7v6mF4uFlg. His first appearance on Gunsmoke was in an episode named “the Lady Killer” as I recall. Edie, loving the adventure of all of his assignments, was the perfect military wife, and remained by his side till her death in December, 2000. Curtis, Perryman and Bob Nolan provided the trio harmony on their noted 1949 recording of ‘Riders In The Sky’ and ‘Room Full Of Roses’ and he appeared with them inWagon Master, which starred Ben Johnson in 1950. May we assume he did not drive a mule team? Disclaimer: In June 1942, he volunteered for military service but resumed his musical career in 1945. See more ideas about Ken curtis, Tv westerns, Gunsmoke. Crewman, Do you know something we don't? Ken Curtis. A radio appearance singing ‘Tumbling Tumbleweeds’ led him to a contract with Columbia Pictures where, as Ken Curtis, he made a series of musical westerns until the company also acquired Gene Autry. Find this Pin and more on Military by Richard McGiffin. In June 1942, he volunteered for military service but resumed his musical career in 1945. Not a leading man but a great second-tier actor. The Duke and Curtis were life long friends, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgVCXUR8QuQ. He served from 1942-1945 in the Pacific Theater. (Excerpt) Read more at b-westerns.com ... His character, Festus, on Gunsmoke sounds exactly like my relation in St. Joe and Allendale Missouri. When that series ended, he continued to play character parts. Other military roles for Ken include The Horse Soldiers, as Cpl Wilkie, and a part in The Wings of Eagles, where he played the real life navy Admiral, John Dale Price. Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile, Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile. After the war, Columbia Pictures signed him to a contract and Ken played the hero in a series of musical westerns that were light on action and plot ... but loaded with tunes. And of course, FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson. b. Curtis Wain Gates, 2 July 1916, on a farm near Lamar, Colorado, USA, d. 28 April 1991, Fresco, California, USA.